Day: October 30, 2016

MACC probes Orang Asli Gua Musang logging complaints

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Source: FMT News

Activities have damaged the environment causing a depletion of the forest that the Orang Asli depend on for their livelihood. Pic taken from FMT News.

Activities have damaged the environment causing a depletion of the forest that the Orang Asli depend on for their livelihood. Pic taken from FMT News.

GUA MUSANG: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has received two complaints from Orang Asli residents on irregularities in logging activities in Gua Musang.

Kelantan MACC director, Moh Samsuddin Yusof said investigations on the first complaint lodged on Sept 28 was completed while that of another received recently was still ongoing.

“On the recent complaint, an investigation paper has been opened to probe the matter,” he told reporters after opening an MACC programme with Orang Asli leaders in Kampung Jias C, Kuala Betis here, today.

The programme was officiated by Nenggiri state asemblyman, Mat Yusoff Ab Ghani and attended by MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil. Read more →

Jais’ new app: A peep into moral policing

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Source: Aliran

Hotline Jais app.

Hotline Jais app.

Rampant corruption, jarring income inequality and deforestation are among the serious moral issues that should not escape the attention of religious bodies such as Jais, says Mustafa K Anuar.

In an apparent frenzy to burnish Malaysia’s Islamic credentials, the Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) has recently resorted to modern communications technology to encourage Muslims to help police the morals of the Muslim community.

A mobile app – called Hotline Jais – that is available on Android devices enables members of the public to report suspected Sharia-related crimes such as khalwat (close proximity) and “deviant Islamic teachings”, at a faster rate. In other words, the kind of reporting that is supposedly driven by the spirit of amar makruf nahi mungkar (urging on what is good, and rejecting evil).

Such an innovation also means that Jais is relying on vigilantes among members of the public to help monitor – and catch – potential offenders of Sharia. Therein lies the rub. Read more →

Don’t waste police resources, Bersih tells opponents

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Source: FMT News

Maria Chin's arrest shows there are those who may want to thwart or stop Bersih's objectives to clean up the elections, says electoral watchdog. Pic taken from FMT News

Maria Chin’s arrest shows there are those who may want to thwart or stop Bersih’s objectives to clean up the elections, says electoral watchdog. Pic taken from FMT News

PETALING JAYA: Maria Chin Abdullah’s opponents should not waste the limited resources of enforcement agencies, says electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0.

The reform group slammed the arrest yesterday of its chairperson in Langkon, Sabah, while she was distributing leaflets as part of the Bersih 5 convoy through Sabah.

“Although she was released on bail, we view (her arrest) as a form of intimidation towards a social and human rights activist,” Bersih said in a statement today.

“(The arrest) shows that there are certain quarters who may want to thwart or stop Bersih 2.0’s objectives to demand for a clean-up of the elections and our government. Read more →

‘Forestry’s entry ban choking Gua Musang Orang Asli’

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Source: malaysiakini

Pic taken from malaysiakini.

Pic taken from malaysiakini.

The Foresty Department strict permit requirement to enter the Balah Forest Reserve area in Gua Musang is hampering the local Orang Asli’s efforts to earn a livelihood, a resident said.

Mustafa Along, 29, said the Forestry checkpoint, put up a fortnight ago following the Orang Asli blockade against logging, makes it difficult for the natives to sell banana and rubber produce, Bernama reported.

“It also makes it difficult for us to buy food supplies, as before this a sundry goods seller would enter the settlement three times a week to sell our daily requirements,” he told reporters at the Orang Asli blockade in Kampung Petei, Pos Bering.

This has forced residents to ration their food since not many have access to vehicles to leave the settlement to purchase sundry goods.

“The town of Gua Muasang is far, at least three hours by motorcycle on a good day. It takes five hours when it rains,” he said.

Many items are also too big to carry on a motorcycle, he said. Read more →